1 year after septorhinoplasty - am I still experiencing swelling or could this be something else? (photo)

At 1 year, what you are noticing is not going to be due to residual swelling. There certainly can be subtle swelling, particularly around the tip even at this point, but this is not that. Even in the best of hands, there can be some asymmetry (particularly if there was pre-existing asymmetry) after rhinoplasty. What you are noticing is highly likely from the nasal bones not being even. This is something that can likely be improved if not corrected, but would require surgery. It may be in your best interest to discuss this with him further or see someone else for a second opinion. Best of luck.

You may indeed have some persistent nasal swelling 12 months after rhinoplasty surgery, however, there should not be a lot of swelling. In that regard, it is questionable as to whether or not you will achieve a straight nose appearance in another year. If you indeed undergo another procedure, you may have an indentation along your left nasal side wall that is contributing to the C-shaped appearance. I hope this is helpful, and I wish you well moving forward. Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Although most of surgeons doing lots of rhinoplasties says that one year after surgery result is stable and mature it does not apply for every patient nor every event. This is in particular the case with the tip where discrete swelling may last for 1,5,-2 years after surgery as well as some other areas including the supratip and the dorsum. Only on the basis of direct, repeated observation, an experienced surgeon can make decision when and how to intervene.

A full set of facial photographs from all angles are going to be required to make a determination about how best to proceed, since revision rhinoplasty is more difficult than a primary rhinoplasty, and this is the most difficult procedure to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery.

There can be some very subtle changes that occur to the nose beyond one year after a rhinoplasty. However, when concerns are apparent to both the patient and surgeon at one year, it would not be unreasonable to consider a revision/touch-up, if desired.

You may have had some additional bone formation (callus) after osteotomies, although they generally resolve in months. There could be some asymmetry in healing and bone placement after osteotomies as well.

At 12 months, your results are final and you’re no longer swollen.
Have you seen any significant change in your outcome in the last six months? If you have then I suppose you can say that some swelling has subsided.
If you had swelling wouldn’t there be swelling on all aspects of your nose like above the bump and below the bump? The bump isn’t swelling. It’s the outcome of your surgery.
Your provider is kicking the can down the road.
Telling patients they have a persistent ongoing swelling that needs more time is the oldest trick in the book for avoiding doing revision surgery. Most surgical outcomes are close to final by 3 to 6 months.
With rhinoplasty surgery, we typically wait 12 full months because even a tiny bit of swelling can change the outcome.
Swelling, however, does not create bumps on the nose.
To make an assessment regarding the outcome of any plastic surgery procedure, we need to see a complete set of proper before and after pictures.
If you don’t have before, and after pictures, then ask your surgeon to forward the ones they took.
Being bored certified in ENT doesn’t make someone a plastic surgeon.
Being a fellow in the American College of surgeons is not a board certification. perhaps your provider is a facial plastic surgeon.
Regardless, waiting longer isn’t going to make the bump on your nose change.
If you’re unhappy with the outcome of your procedure, then you should let your provider know.
At this point, you should be able to talk to your provider about having a revision if it’s indicated.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD